Dera Gai (St. John's Day)

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Dera Gai (St. John's Day)

The annual harvest feast and "burying of the rooster" (dera gai) tradition is celebrated June 24 (the feast of St. John the Baptist). Festive songs, bright yellow-and-red costumes, and traditional dances mark this holiday dating from 1862. Today, the live rooster—which symbolizes a successful harvest—has been replaced by a plastic one. You will also notice smoke all around the island from the ceremonial bonfires traditionally lighted that day.